Mar 28, 201204:45 PMBlog: Fish Bytes
IPHC nominations released, top scientist Hare steps down
Here's the list, with the affiliations I know of other than Bazargin, and the release from NMFS Alaska Region:
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Robert Alverson, Seattle, Fishing Vessel Owners Association
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Kiril Bazargin, (update) IFQ holder from Area 4
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Linda Behnken, Sitka, Alaska Longline Fishermen's Association
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Richard Deaver, Wrangell, charter operator
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Kevin Delaney, Colorado, Kenai River Sportfishing Association fisheries biologist consultant
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Ralph Hoard, Icicle Seafoods, current IPHC commissioner.
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Roland Maw, Soldotna, United Cook Inlet Drift Association
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Rex Murphy, Homer, charter operator
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Tom Ohaus, Sitka, lodge owner/charter operator
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John Whiddon, Kodiak, Pacific Seafoods
NOAA is taking letters of support until May 25, with the goal to get a package including background information on the nominees to the State Department in short order. The current commissioners' terms expire March 31, and the State Department will give them alternate appointments good for one year or until the White House decides on its appointments to the IPHC.
NMFS Alaska Region Administrator Jim Balsiger, who is also the federal rep on the IPHC, said he would like to have new commissioners in place before the annual retreat in September and the interim meeting at the end of November.
Commissioner Philip Lestenkof of the Central Bering Sea Fishermen's Association, the St. Paul CDQ group, did not seek another term on the IPHC.
The IPHC has another opening to fill after Steven Hare, the qualitative scientist responsible for the halibut model, is stepping down in May after about 15 years.
The move was unexpected from what I've heard, and will certainly take a lot of historical knowledge out of the IPHC as it is planning to work this year to figure out why its assessments have been overestimating biomass since 2004. That process will include a variety of assessment wonks from other agencies and academia to work on the halibut model, but that team has yet to be assembled.
Andrew Jensen can be reached at andrew.jensen@alaskajournal.com.
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